Google Launches Chrome Enterprise, Takes Aim at Large Businesses

To expand its market reach, Google has launched a new initiative with the aim to get large businesses to use Chrome OS, instead of Windows. Chrome Enterprise looks to promote Chrome OS and the devices that run on it. The new Chrome Enterprise subscription is priced at $50 (roughly Rs. ) per device per year.

Chrome Enterprise is aimed at large organisations and offers a host of features, including access to enterprise app store fronts, deep security controls, 24×7 support, as well as integration with cloud and on-premise management tools, VMware Workspace ONE, and Microsoft Active Directory integration. This is mainly aimed at enterprise users looking to adopt Chrome OS devices, and give them an option to manage employee Chromebooks more efficiently. This means that for the above subscription price, enterprise users get Chrome OS but with added abilities. The subscription also offers theft protection, single sign-on support, printer management, managed networks, proxies, and OS updates as well.

As mentioned, Chrome Enterprise is fully compatible with on-premise infrastructure through Microsoft Active Directory. This integration allows employees to use their native credentials to authenticate across devices and Google Cloud Services like Google Play while centralising management of user and device policies for IT admins.

Furthermore, VMware Workspace ONE management solution gives customers the ability to manage all their Chrome devices from a single management solution. Using this third party solution, enterprise users will be able to deploy device policies using customisable assignment of groups based on geography, device platform, department, role, and more – simplifying policy enforcement across the company.

Google also notes on its blog that Google Play (i.e., access to enterprise apps) is now compatible with more than 25 Chrome devices including the Acer 14, HP 13, Lenovo 13, or mobile devices such as the Samsung Chromebook Pro and Asus Flip. See the entire list of compatible devices here. Needless to say, the Chrome Enterprise subscription will only work these Chromebooks for now.